Take in the Rich History of Dublin

Dublin, Ireland, offers a rich history coupled with modern influence. Located on the eastern coast, you won’t be short on things to do when visiting the largest city in Ireland.

Early Morning: Try a Traditional Irish Breakfast

Start out your morning with one of the best breakfasts in Dublin at the Kilkenny Cafe at 6 Nassau St. where breakfast is cooked fresh. Go for one of the delicious fruit smoothies, award-winning scones, or traditional creamy porridge. If you happen to be in Dublin on a Sunday, going to the Kilkenny Cafe for brunch is a must. Every Sunday, the cafe offers a jazz brunch with traditional Irish breakfast and lunch options with live jazz music for you to enjoy.

Mid Morning: Head to Grafton Street for Shopping and Sightseeing

After you finish eating scones and drinking coffee, it’s time to check out Grafton Street. It offers some of the best shopping, restaurants, cafes, and people-watching spots in Dublin. Street performers impress on the closed-off street. Some of Ireland’s famous musicians launched their careers from Grafton Street. If you’re lucky, you might even see a notable performance, like the time Bono, Hozier, and The Script performed on this legendary street.

Mid-morning tends to be less crowded, so you can go to all your favorite stores along the route without the foot traffic you will see during the afternoon.

The Long Room at Trinity College Library where the Book of Kells is Located in Dublin.

Noon: Lunch and Culture

Grab a bite to eat at Marks and Spencer Cafe on Grafton Street so that you can soak in more of the culture. The seating on the terrace gives you prime view to soak in the sights while grabbing some lunch. You can get a soup and salad, or — if you’re in the mood for something heartier — you can try the handcrafted chicken, leek, and wholegrain mustard pie.

After lunch, head to the Dublin Writers Museum. Ireland was once home to some of the most famous writers in the world. At the museum, you can view the personal effects of James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, and others. Peruse their old letters, books, and other personal items. The museum often has exhibits highlighting famous Irish writers, as well. If you have a particular affinity for Joyce, you can head up the street to the James Joyce Centre, which highlights this Irish author exclusively.

Afternoon: Enjoy Irish History and Spirits

During the afternoon, head to either the Old Jameson Distillery or the Guinness Store House to take a tour of two of Dublin’s most famous drinks. Jameson, an Irish whiskey that’s not to be confused with Bourbon or Scotch, literally translates from “uisce beatha” to “the water of life.”

The Distillery in Dublin no longer makes Jameson in-house, but you can take a tour of the former distillery and learn about the history of Jameson and the distilling process. As a bonus, you get free tastings during your tour. The tour is available seven days a week and costs 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for kids.

If you prefer beer over liquor, then consider heading to the Guinness Storehouse, which is similar to the Old Jameson Distillery. This tour is still worth taking. You can walk through all seven floors and learn how Guinness was brewed. You’ll also get to enjoy the many different historical offerings and advertisements located throughout the brewery. At the end, of the tour, you can enjoy a pint of the famous beverage. The Guinness Storehouse is open every day of the week with a 14-euro entrance fee for adults and 13.50-euro entry fee for kids.

The Dublin Castle in Dublin.

Evening: Enjoy Dinner at a Popular Dublin Restaurant

Make reservations at Fire Restaurant for dinner in Dublin. This restaurant is located in the Dublin’s Mansion House on Dawson Street, and it maintains its unique and historic housing. The restaurant was renovated in the former supper room of the mansion. The menu items are all locally sourced, and the options include seafood, steak, and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant takes online reservations. Make sure to book in advance — the tables fill up fast!

Late Night: Visit One of Dublin’s Famous Pubs

Ireland has an active nightlife. However, the term nightlife is deceiving because it stays light out until around 9:00 p.m. in the summer. If you want to see what Dublin nightlife has to offer, then you need to start your night at Temple Bar. This iconic pub is frequented by locals as well as tourists from all over the world. After you try out Temple Bar, make your way back to your hotel, stopping in the many pubs along the way.

Enjoy all these sights and more when you book your Dublin vacation with GoDoTrip.

ABOUT US

GoDoTrip enables you to learn more about destinations around the world, create an expert travel itinerary and dramatically reduce the time it takes to book so that you have more time to connect, share and inspire!